Calif may let locals opt out of immigration checks

Calif may let locals opt out of immigration checks

May 1st, 2011by AMY TAXIN, Associated Press
in News

LOS ANGELES (AP) - California lawmakers are the latest to consider joining efforts in other states to gain local control over a controversial national program that automatically checks the immigration status of arrestees.

California accounts for more than a third of the deportations under the Immigration and Customs Enforcement program, and some local officials say they were misled by the federal government about the program's extent.

Lawmakers in the Assembly's public safety committee advanced a bill this week to require communities to pass a resolution to stick with the Secure Communities program. Illinois lawmakers are considering a similar measure.

The program links up the FBI's criminal database and Department of Homeland Security records to check arrestees' immigration status.

Federal officials say states have no control over what information is shared among federal agencies.